Colonel in Chief
HRH Prince Andrew, The Duke of York, K.G., K.C.V.O., C.D., A.D.C(P)
The Duke of York was born on 19th February 1960 at Buckingham Palace, the second son and the third child of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. He was the first child to be born to a reigning monarch for 103 years.
After serving for 22 years in the Royal Navy as a helicopter pilot, The Duke of York became the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment.
The Queen’s York Rangers reaffirmed their ties to Canada’s monarchy by asking HRH Prince Andrew, The Duke of York, to become their first Colonel-in-Chief – a position held by a royal patron.
Having graciously consented to the request, Prince Andrew was formally installed at Fort York Armouries in Toronto in September 1999.
The Colonel of the Regiment
His Honour, the Lieutenant Governor,
The Honourable David C. Onley, O.Ont.
When David C. Onley was appointed The Queen's representative in Ontario, his concern for people with disabilities became front page news. And when he took office on 5 September 2007, Ontarios 28th Lieutenant Governor became a highly placed champion for accessibility.
The Honourable David C. Onley has championed disability issues on many fronts and for many years. Having lived with polio and post-polio syndrome since the age of three, he has broken through social barriers and become a role model.
In his 22-year career with Citytv, he was Canada's first senior newscaster with avisible disability. A popular news anchor, host/producer, science and technology specialist, and weatherman, he showed that ability outshines disability.
Mr. Onley has worked tirelessly to improve accessibility for all. He has chaired the Government of Ontario's Accessibility Standards Advisory Council, and served on the SkyDome Accessibility Council and the Air Canada Centre Accessibility Committee. He has assisted the Muki Baum Association for Multiple Disabilities, the Ontario March of Dimes, Variety Village, the Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons, and the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto.
For his public service, Mr. Onley has been honoured with the King Clancy Award for Disabled Persons, the Courage to Come Back Award, and the Positive Impact Award. He was inducted into the Terry Fox Hall of Fame and the Scarborough Walk of Fame, and received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Canada Christian College.
His best-selling novel Shuttle was nominated as Book of the Year in 1982 by the Periodical Distributor's Association, and he has contributed to television, radio and publications, often with a focus on science, technology, and faith. He co-founded and was president of the Aerospace Heritage Foundation.
Born on 12 June 1950 in Midland, Ontario, David Onley attended local schools then graduated from the University of Toronto in 1975 with an Honours B.A. in Political Science. He worked as an intern at Queen's Park and attended the University of Windsor Law School.
In view of his success in life, Mr. Onley credits his Christian faith and the ongoing support of his wife, singer and Christian recording artist Ruth Ann Onley, and their three sons, Jonathan, Robert, and Michael. The Onleys live in Scarborough and are active members of the Safe Haven Worship Centre in Pickering.
By Appointment of the Minister of National Defence dated 10 Sept 2011, His Honour becomes the first Colonel of the Regiment since his predecessor, John Graves Simcoe.
Honorary Colonel Emeritus of the Regiment
Mrs. Liliane M. Stewart
For many years, Mrs. Liliane M. Stewart has been closely associated with the endeavours of her husband David with whom she has established the Macdonald Stewart Foundation in 1973. Following the death of her husband in 1984, she assumed the presidency of this non-profit organization. Her leadership, interest in and commitment to culture, Canadian heritage, medicine, education, international cooperation and youth have enabled significant projects to be realized.
Mrs. Stewart has a discrete yet tangible influence on the artistic and cultural life of Montréal, Québec and Canada, and has been a champion for many societies, associations and museums. She has left her mark as president of two Montreal museums, the Stewart Museum and the Montreal Museum of Decorative Arts. The Stewart Museum is dedicated to the early history of Canada and the great discoveries.
The Museum is a major heritage and tourist site which attracts thousands of visitors each year coming to see the 18th century military drills of the Compagnie Franche de la Marine and the Olde 78th Fraser Highlanders. The Montreal Museum of Decorative Arts (now part of the Montreal Museum of fine Arts) has assembled one of the most remarkable collection of twentieth century international design and decorative arts. She has fostered the growth of these two institutions by organizing many exhibitions and by pursuing a dynamic policy of acquisitions to enrich the collections and to share these treasures with the public and other museums. In 2000, she donated the prestigious decorative art and design collection to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the largest donation of works of art in the history of this institution. The collection is now shown in the Liliane and David M. Stewart Pavilion. In 2001, she instituted the Liliane and David M. Stewart Program for Modern Design. The Stewart Program was initiated to further its ideals of collecting international design and promoting research at the highest levels by creating and circulating exhibitions that explore important aspects of twentieth century design.
Her philanthropy has extended beyond North America, building links between Canada and other countries. In France, she participated in the acquisition and restoration of the Jacques Cartier manor house in St-Malo, converted into a museum depicting the life and times of this illustrious navigator. In Brouage, birth place of Samuel de Champlain, she has played a major role in the restoration of the church to commemorate the memory of the founder of Québec City.
Mrs. Stewart's impact has been felt far beyond the cultural and heritage sector. In the field of medicine, she has equipped several hospitals with state of the art technology and has supported projects dealing with public health, including the construction of a building and facilities for the department of nutrition of the Université de Montréal. She is also very active in the development of cytology and related activities.
Mrs. Stewart has always valued and supported education and many universities have benefited from her stewardship. She has contributed to the construction and renovation of buildings on several Canadian university campuses and has paid a special interest to projects in agricultural and environmental sciences.
The variety of these projects demonstrates how Mrs. Stewart personal qualities have strengthened our cultural, historical, educational and social enterprises. In recognition of her many achievements she has received, in Canada and abroad, several awards and decorations.
Honorary Colonel Emeritus of the Regiment
Dr. Neville G. Poy
Dr. Neville Poy was born in Hong Kong on October 29, 1935 and immigrated to Canada in 1942. He is married to the Honorable Senator Vivienne Poy and brother to Her Excellency, The Right Honorable Adrienne Clarkson, former Governor General of Canada. He and Vivienne have three children and three grandchildren.
Dr. Poy is a graduate of McGill University where he studied undergraduate Science and post-graduate Medicine. He received his Fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 1967 and practiced his specialty in Toronto as the Director of the first Burn Unit in Canada at the Scarborough General Hospital for 15 years. He later started his own ambulatory surgical unit for Cosmetic Surgery until retirement from clinical practice in 1995. His life-long passion of Fine Art Photography has become his new career in 1996.
Dr. Poy was an active participant in the medical community, locally, nationally and internationally. He was President of The Scarborough General Hospital Medical Society and President of the Ontario Medical Association, Plastic Surgery Section. He was Visiting Professor to McGill University and the University of Toronto. He received the "Arbor Award" for distinguished service from the University of Toronto in 2007. He established the endowment fund. "The Neville G. Poy Fund in Plastic Surgery" in the Department of Surgery of McGill University.
His contributions to the community include serving on the board of Directors of the McMichael Collection for Visual Arts; The Royal Conservatory of Music for Performing Arts; the Scarborough General Hospital Board; The Advisory Board of the Canadian "Top 20 Under 20" Awards of "Youth in Motion", and is an Order of Canada Finalist Judge for the Annual Contest for Leadership and Innovation in our Canadian Youth.
He believes in the enormous personal achievement potential of our progeny; and thus, in the mentoring of our young Canadians. He annually mentors winners of the "Top 20 Under 20" Awards and Junior Fellows of Massey College, University of Toronto.
As a former Presiding Officer for the Swearing-In Ceremonies of New Canadian Citizens for the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, he experienced the warmth of welcoming new Canadians and feeling their joy of belonging. In 2001, he received the Prime Ministerial recognition as a "Canadian Volunteer".
One of his major initiatives during his tenure as an Honorary, and continues to be so, was endeavoring to re-establish University Officers Training on Canadian Campuses (former COTC, UNTD, URTP). His efforts have been encouraging over the past five years, with one major University now willing to initiate such a Trial Project within its curriculum pending conclusion of final details.
In 1998, he received "The Order of Canada" as an "Officer" of The Order, for Healthcare. In 2002, he received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal. In 2003, he was made an "Officer of the Order of St. John". In 2010, for Special recognition, he received the Bronze Medallion of 32 Brigade. In 2010, he received the "Chinese Canadian Legend Award" from the Asian Business Network Association.
Dr. Poy has served as the Honorary Colonel of The Queen's York Rangers since 2007. Prior to that he served as the Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel from 2003-2007.
Honorary Colonel
Units of the Canadian Forces have Honorary Colonels who are appointed to serve their units by undertaking several vital functions. These appointees are distinguished Canadians who have contributed to the country through business, politics, the arts, sports, education, entertainment, or through previous military service.
Honorary Colonels serve in an honourary and advisory capacity to their respective regiments – a role that is very important to morale and esprit-de-corps within the ceremonial life of the unit. They also serve as patrons to their regiments, and develop, promote and sustain community support for their units.
In the case of The Queen’s York Rangers, the Honorary Colonel also serves a key role within the Regimental Association. Dr. Darrell Bricker was appointed Honorary Colonel in 2010.
Darrell Bricker is Chief Executive Officer, Ipsos Public Affairs. Ipsos Public Affairs conducts corporate reputation and social research around the world. The company, a Division of Ipsos, the world’s second largest market research firm, has offices in 25 countries and a staff of 700 research professionals.
Located in Toronto, Darrell has a long history in social and corporate reputation research, as well as research for political campaigns. Prior to joining Ipsos Public Affairs in 1990, Darrell was Director of Public Opinion Research in the Office of Canada’s Prime Minister. He also worked as a research consultant with firms in Ottawa and Toronto.
Dr. Bricker holds a PhD in Political Science from Carleton University in Ottawa, and a BA and MA from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo.
Long recognized as a leader in his field, Darrell is a past Social Science and Humanities Research Council Doctoral Fellow. He’s also an active member of the American Association of Public Opinion research, ESOMAR, and Canada’s MRIA, where he was on the keynote panel for their 50th anniversary conference.
Darrell is a prolific author: his academic articles have been published and republished over the past 20 years. His latest book (with John Wright), “Canuckology”, published by HarperCollins in September 2010, is a national bestseller. As are all of his previous books: “We Know What You’re Thinking” (with John Wright, Harper Collins, 2009), “What Canadians Think About Almost Everything” (with John Wright, Doubleday, 2005), and “Searching for Certainty: Inside the New Canadian Mindset” (with Ed Greenspon, Doubleday, 2001).
Dr. Bricker also appears frequently in the media as a commentator on political, social and business issues. And, he speaks regularly at industry, government and academic conferences.
Darrell is a passionate supporter of Canada’s military. He currently serves, by Ministerial appointment, as the Honorary Colonel of The Queen’s York Rangers, Canada’s most historic Regiment. And, he is a proud member of Canada Company, an organization that raises funds to support the families of Canada’s soldiers. Darrell is also on the Campaign Cabinet for Fort York, Toronto’s oldest military facility. In recognition of Darrell’s contributions to Canada’s military, he has received a commendation from the head of Canada’s Army.
Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel
(Col Ret'd) Charles S. Oliviero, CD, PhD
Dr. Charles Oliviero was born in Naples, Italy on April 3, 1954 and immigrated to Canada in 1956.
Dr. Oliviero was educated at Royal Military College of Canada where he earned his B.A. in History 1976, his M.A. in War Studies 1998, and finally his PhD also in ar Studies in 2006.
Joining the Canadian Forces in 1976 as an Armour Officer whee he served in a variety of positions including Commanding Officer of his Regiment in German. Retiring from the Army in 1998 as a Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. Oliviero remains a Colonel in the Reserves and acts as an advisor to the Commander of the Canadian Army and his Generals.
Dr. Oliviero is currently the National Contract Coordinator for the six simulation centres in the Canadian Forces. He is also an Assistant Professor (pro tem) at Royal Military College of Canada and an Adjunct Professor of Military History at Norwich University, America's oldest private military academy
Former Honorary Colonels
| 12th Regiment (York Rangers) | ||
| Lt. Colonel | James Wayling, V.D. | (21 November 1906) |
| Colonel | James Wayling, V.D. | (05 August 1915) |
| The York Rangers | ||
| Colonel | Alexander Fraser, LL.D. | (15 October 1920) |
| Lt. Colonel | H.B. Brown, R.O., V.D. | (15 October 1920) |
| Lt. Colonel | Hon. W.P. Mulock, R.O., M.P. | (16 April 1930) |
| The West Toronto Regiment | ||
| Lt. Colonel | General Sir A.W. Currie, K.C.B., G.C.M.G., V.D. |
(15 September 1921) |
| The Queen’s York Rangers (1st American Regiment) | ||
| Lt. Colonel | General Sir A.W. Currie, K.C.B., G.C.M.G., V.D. |
(15 August 1925) |
| Lt. Colonel | Willoughby Cole, Esq. | (12 July 1934) |
| The Queen’s York Rangers (1st American Regiment) (M.G.) | ||
| Lt. Colonel | Sir Harold Harmsworth | (01 January 1939) |
| The Queen’s York Rangers (1st American Regiment) (R.C.A.C.) | ||
| Lt. Colonel | W.J. Stewart, C.B.E., C.D., M.P.P. |
(02 December 1944) |
| Colonel | W.J. Stewart, C.B.E., C.D., M.P.P. |
(24 February 1947) |
| Lt. Colonel | W.E. Patterson, M.B.E., E.D. | (01 December 1955) |
| Colonel | J.S. Vanderploeg, E.D. | (01 December 1963) |
| Lt. Colonel | Hon. Leslie M. Frost, P.C., Q.C., LL.D., D.C.L., M.P.P. |
(01 January 1965) |
| Colonel Hon. | Leslie M. Frost, P.C., Q.C., LL.D., D.C.L., M.P.P. |
(01 January 1968) |
| Lt. Colonel | W.H. Keslick, M.C., V.D. | (01 January 1968) |
| Colonel | David M. Stewart O.C., K.St.J., K.C.L.J., Chevalier de la legion d’honneur |
(15 July 1973) |
| Lt. Colonel | Brigadier-General G.G. Bell, M.B.E., C.D., Ph.D. |
(30 April 1974) |
| Colonel | Mrs. David M. Stewart, OS.St.J. | (July 1984) |
| Lt. Colonel | L.W. MacPherson, C.D. | (September 1985) |
| Lt. Colonel | Dr. Neville G. Poy, O.C., OSt.J. | (May 2003) |
Chair of Regimental Council
Kirk Corkery is an internationally experienced executive and Corporate Director with a broad background in systems, business strategy and general management. He is the Founder and President of Technology Mediation Services Inc., a consultancy specializing in negotiation, arbitration and mediation of technology related business issues and interim management services.
Currently he is engaged as the Chief Operating Officer for Arcis Digital Security Inc., a company specializing in hardcopy document security technology. Previously he was Chief Strategist /CIO and board member for the Cyberbahn group of companies prior to their being acquired by ThomsonReuters.
Mr. Corkery is a past executive with EDS Systemshouse, Bell Sygma and a subsidiary of Cable and Wireless (UK). For Bell Canada International he was the Chief Operating Officer of their software development joint venture in Malaysia managing projects in Bangkok, Hong Kong and Sydney, Australia. He has also spent several years as an executive with the Ontario provincial government responsible for their technology infrastructure.
He is a former Commanding Officer of The Queen’s York Rangers, a member of the Royal Canadian Military Institute and a Life Member of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps Association. An active volunteer in his community, he is a past Chair of York Central Hospital in Richmond Hill and a past Chair of the GTA/905 Healthcare Alliance, an association of the 13 community hospitals in the GTA. He has chaired St John Ambulance for Ontario and has sat on their national Board and on their national executive committee.
Mr. Corkery is a graduate of the University of Toronto, the Dalhousie University Executive Development program and the Joseph L. Rotman School of Management Directors Education Program. He sits on several boards and advisory panels and is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors. In 2007 he was granted his ICD.D designation by the Institute.
A carded umpire, he is currently a member of the executive of the Richmond Hill Minor Softball Association. In 2005 he was selected to umpire one of the Canadian Championships for Softball Canada. In the summer he is often found on the diamond as an umpire instructor/evaluator helping develop young officials.
President of the Regimental Association
Bret D. Snider comes from one of Toronto's founding families. Members of his family were New Jersey Volunteers during the revolutionary war and then became York Volunteers prior to and during the war of 1812. Two of the five loyalist homes still standing in Toronto are former Snider homes. Bret was recruited to be President of the Regimental Association because of his extensive community involvement. He was a Director of the Friends of Fort York for over a decade and established the Fort York Foundation. He has over thirty five years experience in politics and has performed many roles in that regard; locally, regionally and nationally. He has been appointed to a number of posts including; Governor of the East General and Orthopedic Hospital, Director of the Fort York Museum, a civilian appointee to the UN Mission to Namibia (were he served alongside members of The Queen's York Rangers), and to numerous other community boards and organizations. He has academic accreditation in Adult Education, Strategic Planning and Business Administration. He has been a life-long entrepreneur and has started six successful companies in a range of different industry categories including; education, real estate development, hospitality, technology and marketing. He has operated business divisions in seven countries and three Canadian provinces. Most of his international work has been in south east Asia with a primary focus on India where he maintained operations for twelve years.
Bret is committed to the Ranger family and is proud of the Regiment, its past and its future potential as a positive influence in Toronto, York Region and Canada.
